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Unintentionally public

Data storage is included in nearly every aspect of technology today. Unfortunately, a recent study from the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), Phoenix, shows that 40 percent of electronic devices resold in the secondhand market contained personally identifiable information (PII). NAID says this is the largest study to date on the presence of PII in electronics resold via public resale channels. The association commissioned CPR Tools Inc., Fort Myers, Florida, to analyze the used devices, which included hard drives, mobile phones and tablets. (Click here for more information on this study.)

While similar studies have been conducted over the past decade, NAID says this study is unique insofar as the recovery process used to locate the data on more than 250 devices was, by design, not sophisticated nor was advanced forensic training required.

NAID CEO Bob Johnson says, “NAID employed only basic measures to extract data. Imagine if we had asked our forensics agency to actually dig.”

Responsible package

Education plays an important role in the papermaking process. An initiative called The Responsible Package aims to spread awareness of responsible consumer behavior regarding paper-based packaging and to educate youth. Launched by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, along with six other trade associations, The Responsible Package offers recycling-related materials for teachers and students to learn more about paper and paper-based packaging.

“In 2017, The Responsible Package’s youth education print materials will reach 150,000 fifth-grade students at 1,132 schools in 14 states,” says AF&PA Director of Packaging Gretchen Spear. “Through our updated website, we are able to distribute these materials to even more educators, students and their families.”

Visit www.theresponsiblepackage.com for more information.

Working sustainably

Two years ago, millennials (ages 18-34) surpassed Generation X (ages 35-49) as the largest share of the U.S. workforce. A new study shows that millennials’ attitudes toward workplace sustainability are strong as more than two-thirds report they would give up social media for one week if everyone at their company recycled.

The “Recycling in the Workplace: A Millennial View” study, conducted by Lightspeed for Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), Huntersville, North Carolina, examines the latest trends transforming the workplace, focusing on the next generation of workers’ attitudes toward the spaces where they work.

Nearly 1 in 10 millennials report they would quit their jobs if they found out their current employer was not sustainable.

“The findings of our recycling study show a tangible commitment to sustainability is a requirement for the next generation of workers,” says Anna Whitton, vice president of marketing, RCP.